Bridge for students marks big gains

“AVID does everything from instilling hope and confidence into students to creating life-altering transformations,” Gipson said.

After signing on with AVID, Romo began to prioritize his goals and think about life after high school. He enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, and soon his mailbox was flooded with “college spam.”

He became involved with organizations dedicated to supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Then he fulfilled his dream: getting accepted into Columbia University in New York City.

“You can’t imagine my sense of joy and accomplishment at the mind-boggling campus,” he said, remembering his first visit.

Romo said he felt unbounded acceptance upon visiting the university’s many gay-themed student clubs. “It was then that I knew I was home.”